diff --git a/src/routes/cases.new.tsx b/src/routes/cases.new.tsx
index b4598d8..d685840 100644
--- a/src/routes/cases.new.tsx
+++ b/src/routes/cases.new.tsx
@@ -110,10 +110,11 @@ function NewCase() {
           <form onSubmit={onSubmit} className="space-y-4">
             <div className="grid grid-cols-2 gap-3">
               <div className="space-y-2">
-                <Label>Client</Label>
-                <Select value={form.client_id} onValueChange={(v) => setForm({ ...form, client_id: v })}>
-                  <SelectTrigger><SelectValue placeholder="Select client" /></SelectTrigger>
+                <Label>Client <span className="text-muted-foreground font-normal">(optional)</span></Label>
+                <Select value={form.client_id || "__none"} onValueChange={(v) => setForm({ ...form, client_id: v === "__none" ? "" : v })}>
+                  <SelectTrigger><SelectValue placeholder="No client" /></SelectTrigger>
                   <SelectContent>
+                    <SelectItem value="__none">No client (attach later)</SelectItem>
                     {clients.map((c) => <SelectItem key={c.id} value={c.id}>{c.name}</SelectItem>)}
                   </SelectContent>
                 </Select>